Airplane construction



May 26, 1936. G E. BARNHART AIRPLANE CONSTRUCTION Filed July 30,- 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IlwlllllLl INVENTOR. G. [.B/iR/VHHRT May 26, 1936. G. E. BARNHART AIRPLANE CONSTRUCTION Filed July 30, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 llrplrallllllialllpli INVENTOR.

EBfiRA/HHRZ ATTORNE 4 Sheets-Shet 3 Filed July ISO, 1954 INVENTOR. G..BHRNHHR7'.

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y 1936. (5. E. BARNHART 2,041,688

AIRPLANE CONSTRUCTION Filed July 30, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

Patented May 26, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AIRPLANE CONSTRUCTION George E. Barnhart, Pasadena, Calif.

Application July 30, 1934, Serial No. 737,622

21 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in airplanes.

The general' object of the invention is to provide novel means for controlling an airplane while in flight.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for retarding the landing speed of an airplane.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide easily operated, self-balancing means for controlling the air flow over the wing of an airplane.

An additional object of the invention is to provide novel lateral balance control for an aerofoil.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for effecting the lateral control or the longitudinal control of an airplane by projecting a surface which is on the top .of the wing into the airstream.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an aerofoil with a main flap and a pilot flap to relieve the efiort required to operate the main flap.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a novel aircraft rudder.

Other objects and the advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an airplane embodying the features of my invention; 1

Fig. 2 is atop plan view of the airplane shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2 on a reduced scale showing another type of wing;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing an ad.-

ditional type of wing;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary section similar to Fig. 5 showing one of the wing flaps in a closed position;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken I Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 12 showing another arrangement of the wing flaps! Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 12 showing a still further arrangement of the wing flaps; 5

Fig. 15 is an enlarged section taken on line l5 -l5 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line Iii-J6 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line l'i-i1 of Fig.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line iii-l8 of Fig. 2; and,

Fig. 19 is a section similar to Fig. 5 showing a modified form of wing flap. 7

Referring to the drawings by reference characters I have indicated an airplane embodying the features of my invention generally at Ill. The airplane I0 is of the monoplane type and includes the usual fuselage i2, wings l3, rudder l4, sta- 20 bilizer l5, control cockpit l6 and propeller II. In general the wing i3 is of hollow construction and stream line in cross section and including a leading edge I!) and a trailing edge 20, an upper surface 2| and a lower surface 22. As shown in Fig. 2 the wing I3 is of the type wherein the leading edge is straight with the trailing edge inclined rearwardly towards the fuselage.

Adjacent the leading edge of the wing l3 in the upper surface 22 thereof I provide a plurality of flaps 23 and intermediate the flaps 23 and the trailing edge 20 in the uppersurface of the wing I provide a plurality of flaps 24 while adjacent the trailing edge 20 in theunder surfaceof the wing I provide a plurality of flaps 25.

Each of the flaps 23 are preferably identical and I will proceed to describe but one of them. As shown in Fig. 5 each flap includes an upper section 26 and a-lower section 21. The upper section 26 is pivotally connected to the lower section as at 28 and the lower section is pivotally connected to a portion of the wing structure as at29. The pivot 29 is positioned at the rear of the pivot 28 so that when the flap 23 is open as shown in Fig. 5 the lower portions 21 incline upwardly and the upper portions 26 incline rearwardly and upwardly.

Adjacent each end of the flaps 23 I provide'a brace 30 one end of which is pivotally secured to the upper portion 26 of the flap as at 3| and the opposite end is pivotally secured to a portion of the wing structure as at 32 at the rear of the pivot 29. t

The flap 23 is positioned in an aperture 33 in v the upper surface 2| of the wing so that when the g flap is in a closed position as shown in Fig. 7 the flap portions 26 form a surface which is continuous with the upper surface 2| of the wing. Below the flaps 23 I provide a housing member 34 which closes the wing apertures 33 and prevents the flow of air into the wing when the flap is open.

For actuating the-flap 23 I provide a line mechanism which includes a bar 35 and a bar 36. One end of the bar 35 is pivotally secured to the flap portion 21 as at 31 and the opposite end of the bar 35 is pivotally secured to the bar 36 as at 38 and the opposite end of the bar 36 is pivotally secured to the wing structure as at 33. When the link pivot 38 is shifted forward the bar 35 swings the -'flap 23 upward to an open position as shown in Fig. 5 and when the link pivot 38 is moved rearward the bar 35 swings the flap downward to a closed position as shown in Fig. '7.

By arranging the brace 30 so that it retains the upper and lower portions of the flap inclined rearward when the flap is open as shown in Fig. 5 the air pressure on the upper portion 26 of the flap tends to move the flap to a closed position while the air pressure on the lower portion 21 of the flap tends to force the flap open thereby lessening the strain on the flap control mechanism.

Positioned in the 'wing aperture 38 forward of the flap 23 I provide a pilot flap 48. The pilot flap 48 is pivotally secured adjacent its leading edge-to the wing structure as at 4| and when open inclines upwardly and rearwardly, as shown in Fig. 5.

For actuating the pilot flap 48 I provide a lever mechanism which includes a bar 42. and a bar 43. One end of the bar 42 is pivotally secured to the flap 48 as at 44 and the opposite end is pivotally secured to one end of the bar 43 as at 45 and the opposite end of the bar 43 is pivotally secured to a portion'of the wing as at 46. When the pivot 45 of the lever mechanism is moved forward the bar 42 swings the pilot flap upward to an open position as shown in Fig. 5 and when the pivot 45 is moved rearward the bar 42 swings the pilot flap downward to a closed position as shown in Fig; 7.

For operating the flaps 23 I provide a control mechanism which I have indicated generally at 41 and'shown in detail in Figs. 8 and 9 and diagrammatically in Fig. 10. The control mech-' anism 41 is located in the cockpit l6 and includes three levers 48 for each wing and one lever for eachof the flaps 23. Each of the levers 48 is pivotally mounted as at 43 on a suitable supporting frame 56.

Rotatably mounted on a shaft 5| adjacent the lev'ers 48 I provide a set of two drums 52 and 53 for each of the levers and for each set of drums I provide a gear 54. Each set of drums 52 and 53 and their associated gear 54 is secured together and is freely rotatable on the shaft 5|. On each of the levers 48 I provide a gear segment 55 whllch meshes with the gear 54 of the associated set of drums. Thus when one of the levers '48 is swung about its pivot 49 the gear segment 55 will rotate its associated gear 54 which in turn will rotate its associated drums 52 and 53.

As shown in Fig. one end of a cable 56 is secured to the drum 53 and is rove over a plurality of guide pulleys 51 and is secured to the flap operating lever mechanism adjacent the pivot 38 thereof. The cable 56 is rove to approach the lever mechanism from the front thereof. A similar cable 58 is secured to the drum 52 and is rove over a plurality ofguide pulleys 59 and like the cable 58 is secured to the flap operating lever mechanism adjacent the pivot 38 thereof. The cable 58 is rove to approach the lever mechanism from the rear.-

When one of the levers 48 is swung rearwardly 5 it rotates its associated set of drums 52 and 53 as previously described and when the drums are thus rotated the cable 56 pulls the bars 35 and 36 forward thereby swinging the flap 23 to an open position as previously described. There- 10 after, when the lever 48 is swung forward the drums 52 and 53 are rotated in a reverse direction whereupon the cable 58 pulls the bars 35 and 36 rearwardly thereby swinging the flap 23 to a closed position as previously described.

For operating all the flaps 23 on the wing simultaneously I provide an operating mechanism indicated generally at 60. As shown the device 6|! includes a mind spaced arms 6| which are pivotally supported on the frame 58 as at 62. Adjacent the upper end of each of the arms 6| I provide a collar 63 and surrounding each arm above the collars 63 I provide a coil spring 64. Supported on the springs 64 I provide a bar 65 which is spaced above the levers 48 and includes apertures 66 to receive the levers 48. The arms 6| extend through suitable apertures in the bar 65 so that the bar 65 can be moved downward against the action of the spring 64. When the operator wishes to actuate all the levers 48 simultaneously he grasps a handle portion 61 on the bar 65 and moves the bar 65 downward against the action of the springs 64' until the levers 48 are positioned in the apertures 66 of the bar. Thereafter by swinging the bar 65 rearward all the levers 48 will be swung rearward to open their associated flaps 23 and when the bar 65 is swung forward all the levers 48 will be swung forward to close their associated flaps 23.

For operating the pilot flaps I provide a control mechanism which I have indicated generally at 68 and shown in detail in Figs. 8 and 9 and diagrammatically in Fig. 11. The control mechanism 68 is located in the cockpit l6 and is shown as positioned above the control mechanism 41. The control mechanism 68 is similar in all respects to the previously described control mechanism 48 and like parts thereof are indicated by similarly primed reference numerals with the exception of the drums which are indicated at 68 and 10.

For each of the pilot flaps 40 one end of a cable 1| is secured to the drum 10 and rove over a plurality of guide pulleys 12 and is secured to the pilot flap operating levers adjacent the pivot 45 thereof. The cable 1| approaches the lever mechanism from the front thereof. One end of a cable 13 is secured to the drum 69 and rove over a plurality of guide pulleys 14 and is secured to the operating levers adjacent the pivot 45 thereof. The cable 13 approaches the operating levers from the rear thereof. The opening and closing operations for the pilot flaps 46 is similar to that previously described in connection with the main fiaps 23. When the operator desires to open the main flaps 23 he preferably. first opens the pilot flaps 46 and thereafter the main flaps 23. By opening the pilot flaps 40 first these flaps direct the air stream upward whereupon less effort is required 70 to open the main flaps 23. When the main flaps are opened the air pressure thereagainst retards the forward motion of the airplane. Furthermore, by opening various ones of the flaps 23 the direction of flight of the plane may be changed.

The flaps 24 and 25 are similar and each includes a single section I which is positioned in an aperture I6 in the wing and pivoted adjacent its rear edge to the wings as at 11. When the flap section is in a closed position the outer surface thereof is continuous with the adjacent surface of the wing. Below the wing aperture I6 I provide a closure I8 to restrict the passage of air into the wing when the flap is open. Adjacent each end of each of the flap sections 15 I provide a brace member 19 which is pivoted intermediate its length as at 80 and at one end is pivotally secured to the flap section I5 as at M and at the opposite end is pivotally secured to the wing structure as at 82.

For swinging the flap section l5 about its pivot H I provide a lever device which includes a bar 52 and a bar 84. The bar 83 is pivotally secured at one end to the flap section 15 as at 65 and at the opposite end is pivotally secured to one end of the bar 24 as at 96 and the opposite end of the bar it is pivotally secured as at 87 to the wing structure.

As indicated at 32 in Fig. 10 the control mechanism for the flaps 2E is similar to the previously described control mechanism 41 and is indicated by similar reference numerals with the exception of the drums which are indicated at 89 and 90. For each of the flaps 24 one end of a cable 9i is secured to the drums 89 and rove over suitable guide pulleys 92 and is secured to the operating levers adjacent their pivots 86. The cable 9| approaches the operating levers from the rear thereof and when pulled actuates the operating levers to swing the flaps 24 to an open position. One end of a cable 93 is secured to the drum 90 and is rove over a plurality of guide pulleys 94 and is secured to the'operation levers adjacent their pivot 96 similar to the cable 9|. The cable 93 approaches the operating levers from the front thereof and when pulled actuates the operating levers to swing the flaps 24 to a closed position.

In Fig. 10 I have indicated the control mechanism for the flaps generally at 95. The control mechanism 95 is similar to the previously described control mechanism 45 and is indicated-by similar reference characters with the exception of the drums which are indicated at 96 and 91. For each of the flaps 25 one end of a cable 98 is secured to 'the drum 96 and rove over a plurality of guide pulleys 99 and is secured to the flap operating levers adjacent their pivot 86. The cable 98 approaches the operating levers from the front thereof and when the cable 98 is pulled it actuates the operating levers to swing the flap 25 to an open position.

One end of a cable I00 is secured to the drum 9i and rove over a plurality of guide pulleys "II and is secured to the flap section 15 as at I02. When the cable I00 is pulled it swings the flap 25 upward to a closed position.

Positioned in the wing apertures IS in front of each of the flaps 24 1 provide pilot flaps I03 which are similar in all respects to the previously described pilot flaps 40 and like portions thereof are V indicated by similar reference numerals.

In Fig. 11 I have indicated the control mecha nism for the pilot flaps I03 generally at I04. The control mechanism I04 is similar to the previously described control mechanism 68 and like portions thereof and are indicated by similar reference numerals with the exception of the drums which are indicated at I05 and I06.

For each of the pilot flaps I03 one end of 9. cable I01 is secured to the drum I06 and rove over suitable guide pulleys I08 and is secured to the flap operating levers adjacent their pivot 45.

of guide pulleys I I0 and is secured to the flap operating levers adjacent their pivot 45. The cable I09 approaches the operating levers from the rear thereof and when pulled actuates the levers to swing the pilot flap I03 to a closed position.

Positioned in the wing apertures 16 in front of each of the main flaps 25 I provide a pilot flap H2. The pilot flaps IIZlike the pilot flaps I03 are similar to the. pilot flaps 40 and like portions thereof are indicated by similar reference characters.

In Fig. 11 I have indicated the control mechanism for the pilot flaps II2 generally at I I3. The control mechanism I i3 is similar to the previously described control mechanism 68 and like portions thereof are indicated by similar reference numerals with the exception of the drums which are indicated at H4 and H5.

For each of the pilot flaps I I2 one end of a cable is secured to the drum H4 and rove over a plurality of guide pulleys I I8 and is secured to the flap operating levers adjacent their pivot 45. When the cable III is pulled it actuates the flap operating levers to swing the pilot flap II2 to an open position. One end of a cable H9 is secured to the drum 8 I5 and is rove over a plurality of guide pulleys I20 and is secured to an arm I2I provided on the pilot flap I I2 to a closed position.

In Fig. 3 I have shown an airplane I22 having wings I23 thereof. The trailing edge of the wing I23 is straight while the leading edge tapers forwardly from the tip of the wing to the fuselage. Adjacent the leading edge of the wing I23 and in the upper surface thereof I have shown a plurality of the main flaps 23 with their associated pilot flaps and in the under surface of the wing adjacent the trailing edge thereof I have shown a plurality of the main flaps 25 and their'associated pilot flaps II2.

In Fig. 4 I have shown an airplane I24 having wings I25 thereon which are similar to the wings I3 but having less width at their tips. Adjacent the trailing edge of each'of the wings and intermediate the length thereof I have shown one of the main flaps 23 with its associated pilot flaps 40. At each side of the flap 23 I have indicated flaps I26 which are similar to the flaps 23 with the exception that the pivot 29 and the braces 30 are arrangedso that the flaps I26 open forward instead of rearward like the flaps 23.

In Fig. 12 I have indicated a wing generally at I21 which is similar to the previously described wing I3. Intermediate the width of the wing I21 in the upper surface thereof I provide a flap I 23 and directly therebelow in the under surface of the wing I provide a flap I29. "The flaps I28 and I29 are similar in construction to the previously described flaps 23 and like portions thereof are indicated by similar reference numerals. The' flaps I28 and I29 are arranged the reverse of the flaps 23. That is, the lower flap portion 21 in-.

.between the rudder sections.

the trailing edge thereof I provide a flap I30 which is similar in construction to the previously described flap 25 and like portions thereof are indicated by similar reference characters. The flap I30 is arranged to open forwardly instead of rearwardly as is the flap 25.

Spaced forward of the flap I30 in the under surface of the'wing I21 I provide a flap I3I which is similar in construction to the previously de-- a flap I34. The flaps I33 and I34 are similar in construction to the flaps I28'and I29 and like portions thereof are indicated by similar reference numerals. In addition to the operating levers and 36 the flaps I33 and I34 include another set of similar operating levers I35 and I36. The levers I35 and I36 are provided to open the flaps and the levers 35 and 36 to close the flaps.

In Fig. 14 I have shown a fragmentary section of an airplane wing at I39. Intermediate the leading edge and the trailing edge of the wing I39 I provide an air chute I40 through the wing. The chute I40 includes a front wall I4I a rear wall I42 and side walls I43 and opens through the upper and lower surfaces of the wing. The front and rear walls of the chute I40 are preferably inclined upwardly and rcarwardly as shown.

Positioned in the chute I40 adjacent the upper surface of the wing I provide a flap member I44 and adjacent the under surface of the wing I provide a flap member I45. The flaps I44 and I45 are similar in construction to the flaps I28 and I29 shown in Fig. 12 and like portions thereof are indicated by similar reference numerals. The iia'p I44 when in a closed position closes the upper end of the chute I40 and the upper surface of the upper section 26 of the flap lies flush with the wing surface. When the flap I45 is in a closed position it closes the lower end of the chute I40 and the under surface of the flap section 26 lies flush with the under surface of the wing. When both the flaps I44 and I45 are open as shown in Fig. 14 the air pressure against the flaps retards the forward motion of the airplane and at the same time air passes through the chute I40 from the underside of the wing to the upper side thereof.

As shown in Fig. 15 the rudder I4 of the-airplane I0 is of novel construction. The rudder I4 includes two vertical sections I46 and I41, the forward edges of which are inside of the sides of the adjacent fin I48, as indicated, at I49. Adjacent the inner edge of each of the rudder sections I46 and I41 I provide a pair of vertically spaced gear toothed racks I50. The racks I50 are spaced from the inner face of the rudder section to form a slot I5I. Adjacent each set of the racks I50 I provide a vertical shaft I52 which is journalled in brackets I 56 which are mounted on a vertical wall I54 which extends rearwardly from the fin I48 Secured to the shaft I52 adjacent each of the racks I50 I provide a gear I55 which meshes with their associated racks I40. Loosely mounted on the shaft I52 below each of the gears I55 I provide a bracket I56 on which I provide rollers I51. The rollers I51 are positioned in the gear rack slots I5I and retain the gears in mesh with their associated racks. Secured to each shaft I52 adjacent the lower end thereof I provide a worm gear I58 which 5 meshes with a worm pinion I59 secured to a shaft I60. The shafts I60 are journalled in bearings I6l and each have a sprocket I62 secured thereto. At each side of each of the sprockets I62 I provide a pair of sprockets I63 which are loose- 10 ly mounted on their associated shafts I60. The

sprockets I63 of one shaft I60 are connected to the sprockets I63 on the other shaft I 60 by chains I64 and intermediate the shafts I63 and above the chains I64 I provide a shaft I65 journalled 15 in suitable bearings I66. Secured to the shaft I65 I provide a pair of spaced sprockets I61 which engage the upper reach of the chains I64.

From adjacent the center of one of the shafts I60 to adjacent the center of the other shaft I60 20 the upper reaches of the chains I64 are connected by cross bars I68 (see Fig. 15) which when the chains I64 are moved in one direction engage the sprocket I63 associated with the rudder section I46 and rotate the associated shaft I60 and 25 when the chains I64 are moved in the opposite. direction the bars I68 engage the sprocket I63 associated with the rudder section I41 and rotate the associated shaft I60. Pivotally secured to each of the rudder sections I41 and I46 as 30 at I69 I provide a pair of spaced rods which extend forward and are pivotally secured to the fin I48 as at Hi.

When the shaft I 60 of one rudder section is rotated in one direction as previously described 35 the worm pinion I59 rotates the worm gear I58 which in turn rotates the shaft I52 and the gears I55. As the gears I55 rotate they move their associated racks I50 rearward which in turn tend to move the associated rudder section rearward 4" but the rods I10 cause the rudder section to swing sideways about the axis of the shaft I52. At the same time the rudder section swings sideways it also moves rearward whereupon when the rudder section is in an open position there is more 4r exposed surface beyond the fin I48 than when the rudder section is in a closed position. When the shaft I60 is rotated in the opposite direction the gears I55 move the racks I50 forwardly and the rods I10 cause the rudder section to swing 50 inwardly about the axis of the shaft I52.

The shaft I65 extends forward to the cockpit I6 where a sprocket I12 is secured thereto (see Figs. 2 and 18.) The sprocket I12 is connected by a sprocket chain I13 to a sprocket I14 which 55 is secured to the shaft I15 of the steering wheel I16 of the airplane.

In Fig. 19 I have shown a wing section at I18. In the upper surface of the wing I18 adjacent the trailing edge thereof I provide a flap I19 60 and directly therebelow in the under surface of the wing I provide a flap I80 and forward of the flap I80 I provide a flap I8I. The flaps I19, I80 and I81 are similar in construction to I28 and I29 shown in Fig. 12 and the like parts 65 thereof are indicated by similar reference nu-' merals.

In the upper surface of the wing I18 adjacent the leading edge thereof I provide a flap I82 and intermediate the flap I13 and the flap I82 I provide a flap I83. The flap I82 is arranged similar to the flap I28 in Fig. 12 and like portions thereof are indicated by similar reference numerals. The braces thereof are indicated by similar reference numerals. The braces 30 of the flap I28 are omitted in the flap I82 and other brace members I84 are provided. The brace members I84 are pivotally secured as at I85 to the section 25 of the flap I82 and extend 'rearwardly and are pivotally secured as at I86 to a portion of the wing structure as indicate at I81.

The flap I83 is arranged similar to the flap 23 in Fig; and like portions thereof are indicated by similar reference numerals. The braces 38 of the flap 23 are omitted and other brace members IB'I are provided. The brace members I81 are pivotally secured as at I88 to the section 26 of the flap I83 and extend forwardly and are pivotally secured as at I89 to a portion of the wing structure.

Intermediate the flaps I82 and I83 I provide an air chute 288 through the wing similar to the air chute M8 shown in Fig. 14. The chute 288 includes a front wall 28L a rear wall 282, and

side walls 283 and opens through the upper and lower surfaces of the wing. Like the chute I88, the front and rear walls of the chute 288 are preferably inclined upwardly and rearwardly as shown.

Positioned in the chute 288 adjacent the upper surface of the wing I provide a flap member 284 and adjacent the under surface of the wing I provide a flap member 285. The flap members 284 and 285 are similar in construction to the flap member 23 shown in Fig. 5 and like portions thereof are indicated by similar reference I numerals. The flap 284 when in a closed posi tion closes the upper end of the chute 288 and the upper surface of the upper section 26 of the flap lies flush with the upper surface of the wing surface. When the flap 285 is in a closed position it closes the lower end of the chute 288 and the under surface of the flap section 26 lies flush with the under surface of the wing. When both the flaps, 284 and 285 are open as shown the air pressure against the flaps retards the forward motion of the airplaneand at the same time air passes through the chute 288 from the under side of the wing to the upper side thereof. i

Chutes similar to the chutes H8 and 288 with their associated flap members may be provided at any position desired between the leading edge and the trailing edge of a wing.

From the foregoing description it'will be apparent that I have invented a novel air plane construction which is highly eflicient in use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. In combination with an airplane having a fuselage including a control cockpit and wings extending from opposite sides thereof, the upper surface of said wings having a recess, a vane member positioned in said recess, said vane member comprising two sections, one of said sections being hinged to said wing structure, the other of said sections being hinged to the free end of the first section, said vane being movable from "closed position to open position, said vane in a closed position being folded within said recess with the outer, surface of said vane substantially flush with the adjacent upper surface of said wing.

2. In combination with an airfoil including a leading edge and a trailing edge, said airfoil hav-. ing a recess, a vane member comprising a pair of sections having their ends hinged together and positioned in said recess, means to pivotally secure the end portion of one of said vane sections to said airfoil and means to swing said vane member outward from a position in said recess and other means to swing said vane from an extended position into said recess.

3. In combination with an airplane having a fuselage including a control cockpit and wings 5 extending from opposite sides thereof, a recess in the upper surface of each wing, a vane member positioned in each of said recesses said vane member comprising two sections, one of said sections being hinged to said wing structure, the other of said sections being hinged to the free end of the first section said vanes being movable from a closed position to open position, said vanes in a closed position being folded within said recesses, said vanes when in an open position being directed upwardly and means in said cockpit to actuate said vanes.

4. In combination with an airfoil including a leading edge and a trailing edge, said airfoil having a recess, a vane member in said recess, said vane member including two sections hinged together, means to hinge one of said sections to said airfoil, said vane being movable froma closed position to an open position, said vane when in a closed position having the exposed surface of the outer of said sections flush with the adjacent surface of said airfoil, said vane when in an open position having the section hinged to said airfoil inclined away from said airfoil towards said trailing edge and having the other section inclined away 0 from said airfoil towards said leading edge.

5. In combination with an airfoil including a leading edge and a trailing edge, said airfoil having a recess, a vane member in said recess, said vane member including two sections, means to-hinge one enclof one of said sections to said airfoil, means to hinge the other end of said one section to one end of said second section, said vane being movable from a closed position to an open position, said vane when in a closed position having the exposed surface of the outer of said sections flush with the adjacent surface of said airfoil, said vane when in an open position having the sec tion hinged to said airfoil inclined away from said airfoil towards said leading edge and having the other section inclined away from said airfoil towards said trailing edge.

6. In combination with an airplane having a fuselage including a control cockpit and wings extending from opposite sides thereof, the upper surface of said wings having recesses, a vane member positioned in each of said recesses, each of said vane members including two sections hinged together, one of said vane sections being hinged to said wing structure, said vanes being movable from closed position to open position, said vanes in a closed position being folded within said recess with the outer surface of one section of said vane flush with the adjacent upper surface of said wing, said vanes when in an open position having the lower section thereof inclined forwardly and upwardly and having the upper section thereof inclined rearwardly and upwardly and means in said cockpit to actuate said vanes from closed position to open position j and from open position to closed position.

7. In combination with an airfoil including a leading edge and a trailing edge, said airfoil having a recess, a vane member positioned in said recess, the rear edge of said vane being hinged to said airfoil, said airfoil having a second recess forward of said first recess, a vane member in said second recess, the front edge of said secbetween the hinged edge of said second vane and the opposite edge thereof being less than the cor-.

responding distance of said first vane, means to swing said vanes outward from positions in said recesses and other means to swing said vanes from their extended positions into said recesses.

8. In combination with an airfoil including a leading edge, a trailing edge, an upper surface and a lower surface, said airfoil having a passageway intermediate said leading edge and said trailing edge, said passageway opening through said upper surface and through said lower surface of said airfoil, a vane member positioned in said passageway adjacent the upper end thereof and a vane member positioned in said passageway adjacent the lower end thereof, each of said vanes including -two sections hinged together and with one of said sections of each pair hinged to said airfoil, said vanes being movable from closed positions to open positions, said vanes when in closed positions having the exposed surface of the outer of said vane sections flush with the adjacent surfaces of said airfoil, said vanes when in open position having the inner and outer 'sections inclined in different directions.

9. In combination with an airplane including a control cockpit and a supporting wing, said wing having a plurality of recesses in one surface, a vane member comprising an inner and an outer hinged section in each of said recesses, one edge of each of said vane members being hinged to said wing, each of said vanes being movable from an unobstructive airflow position to an obstructive airflow position, means connected to the outer of said hinged, sections and operable from said cockpit to actuate said vanes independently and means to actuate all of said vanes simultaneously;

10. In combination with an airplane including acontrol cockpit and a supporting wing, said wing having a plurality of recesses.in one surface, a vane member positioned in each of said recesses, each of said vanes including two sectlons hinged together and with one of said vane sections hinged to said wing, said vanes being movable from closed position to open position, said vanes in closed position being folded within said recesses with the outer surface of the outer sections of said vanes flush with the adjacent outer surface of said wing, said vanes when in open position having their inner sections inclined away from said wing towards one edge of said wing and having the outer vane sections inclined away from said wing towards the opposite edge of said wing, actuating means operable from said cockpit to independently actuate each of said vanes from closed position to open position, other actuating means to independently actuate each of said vanes from open position to closed positier} and means to actuate said vanes simultaneous y.

11. In combination with an airfoil, said airfoil having a recess, a vane member positioned in said recess, said vane including two sections hinged together and with one of said sections hinged to. said airfoil, said vane being movable from an unobstructive airflow position to an obstructive airflow position, a brace member pivoted at one end to the outer of said vane sections and pivoted at, the opposite end to said'airfoil, said brace acting to cause the pressure of air against the outer of said vane sections to counteract the pressure of air against the other of said vane sections.

, 12 In combination withan airplane including a control cockpit and a supporting wing, said wing having a plurality of recesses in one surface, a vane member in each of said recesses, one edge of each of said vanes being hinged to said wing, each of said vanes being movable from an unobstructive airflow position to an obstructive airflow position, a pilot flap in each of said recesses, said pilot flaps being of less area than said vane members, the leading edge of said pilot flaps being hinged to said wing, said pilot flaps being movable from an unobstructive airflow position to an obstructive airflow position, means operable from said cockpit to actuate said pilot flapsindependently or simultaneously and means operable from said cockpit to actuate said vanes independently or simultaneously.

13. In combination with an airplane including a control cockpit and a supporting wing, said wing having a plurality of recesses in one surface, a vane member positioned in each of said recesses and hinged to said wing, said vanes being movable from closed position to open position, said vanes in closed position being folded within said recesses with the outer surface of said vanes flush with the adjacent outer surface of the said wing, said vanes when in open position being inclined and a pilot flap positioned in each of said recesses forward of said vanes, the edge of said pilot flaps towards the leading edge of said wing i cesses, each of said vanes including two sections 1 hinged together and with one of said vane sec-- tions hinged to said wing, said vanes being movable from closed position to open position, said vanes in closed position being folded within said recesses with the outer surface of the outer sections of said vanes flush with the adjacent outer surface of said wing, said vanes when in open position having their inner sections inclined away from said wing towards one edge of said wing and having the outer vane sections inclined away from said wing towards the opposite edge of said wing, a pilot flap pivotally mounted directly in advance of each of said vanes, selective means operable from said cockpit to independently or simultaneously actuate said vanes from flow position and from obstructive airflow posi-' tions to unobstructive airflow position.

15. In combination with an airplane including a control cockpit and a supporting wing, said wing having a plurality of recesses in one surface, a vane member positioned in each of said recesses, each of said vanes including two sections hinged together and with one of said vane sections hinged to said wing, said vanes being movable from closed position to open position, said vanes in closed position being folded within said recesses with the outer surface of the outer sections of said vanes flush with the adjacent outer surface of said wing, said vanes when in open position having their inner sections inclined away from said wing towards the opposite edge of said wing, a pilot flap positioned in each of said recesses forward of said vanes, the edge of said pilot flaps towards the leading edge of said wing being hinged to said wing, the area of said pilot flaps being less than the area of. I

said vanes, said pilot flaps being movable from unobstructive airflow position in said recesses to obstructive airflow position.

16. The combination of an airfoil including a leading edge and a'trailing edge, and a vane memher, said vane member comprising a pair of sections having their end edges hinged together, means to pivotally secure the free edge of one of said vane sections to said airfoil so that said one section may fold upon the airfoil, and means to swing said vane member outward from a position upon the airfoil.

17. In combination with an airfoil including a leading edge and a trailing edge, said airfoil having a recess in the surface thereof, a vane member comprising a pair of sections having their ends hinged together and positioned in said recess, means to pivotally secure the end portion of one of said vane sections to said airfoil and means to swing said one vanesection outward from a position in said recess, one of said vane sections being longer than the other.

18. The combination of an airplane including a control cockpit and a supporting wing, and a vane member including two sections, a hinge connecting said sections at their end edges to form a V, a hinge connecting one of said vane ,a control cockpit and a supporting wing, and a vane member including two sections, a hinge connecting said sections at their end edges to form a V, a hinge connecting one of said vane sections to said wing on a hinge line in the rear of said first mentioned hinge whereby the apex of the 'V is to the front, said vanes being movable from closed position to open position, and

brace means connecting one of 'said vane sections to said wing to partly remove the load from said one vane section.

20. The combination of an airplane including a control cockpit and a supporting wing, and a vane member, said vane member including an inner andan outer section, a hinge connecting said sections along their extreme end edges, means connecting one of said vane sections to said wing on a hinge line adjacent to said wing and in ,advance of said first mentioned. hinge, whereby said hinges form a substantially V- shaped pocket, the apex of 'the pocket being to the rear whereby air entering, the lower and middle portion of said pocket will flow forwardly over the free edge of said outer vane section, and means to move said vanes from open position to closed position. a v

21. An airfoil including a leading edge, a trailing edge, an upper surface and a lower surface. said airfoil having a passageway intermediate said leading edge and said trailing edge, said passageway opening through said upper surface and through said lower surface, a movable closure member hinged adjacent the upper end of said passageway and a movable closure member hinged adjacent the lower end of said passageway, one of said closure members including'a pair of vane sections hinged to each other and both movable into the air stream which flows over the upper surface of the airfoil, the other closure members including a pair of vane. sections with one section hinged to the end of the other section and both movable into the air stream which flows over the lower surface of the airfoil, means to move said closure members, from closed positions to open positions, said closure members when in-closed positions restricting entrance into said passageway and when in open positions allowing entrance into said passageway.

GEORGE E. BARNHART. 

